System and method for functional elements

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods whereby, for example, one or more functional elements can be established and/or employed. Such functional elements might serve a number of purposes. For instance, such functional elements might be employable in interoperating with devices, software, and/or the like, in working with entities, and/or the like. Such functional elements may, for example, be arrangeable in an associative and/or hierarchical manner.

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Ser. No.10/739,600 filed on Dec. 17, 2003, entitled “System and Method forFunctional Elements”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.10/028,032 filed on Dec. 20, 2001, entitled “A Method, System, andApparatus for Constructing Fully Personalized and Contextualized UserInterfaces for Terminals in Mobile Use” and U.S. Ser. No. 10/028,170filed on Dec. 20, 2001, entitled “A Method, System, and Apparatus forConstructing Fully Personalized and Contextualized InteractionEnvironment for Terminals in Mobile Use”, which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for functional elements.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In recent years, computers have gained an increasingly prominent role inthe lives of many people. For example, many people have come to relyupon computers to handle their media (e.g., movies, images, and/ormusic), their communications (e.g., text, voice, and/or videocommunications), their entertainment (e.g., video games), and/or thelike.

Accordingly, there may be interest in technologies that further allowpeople to incorporate computers into their lives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments of the present invention, there areprovided systems and methods whereby, for example, one or morefunctional elements can be established and/or employed. Such functionalelements might serve a number of purposes. For instance, such functionalelements might be employable in interoperating with devices, software,and/or the like, in working with entities, and/or the like.

Such functional elements may, for example, be arrangeable in anassociative and/or hierarchical manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting exemplary steps involved in functionalelement establishment according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting exemplary steps involved in functionalelement template establishment according to various embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting exemplary steps involved in monitoring andhierarchal element establishment according to various embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting an exemplary view showing hierarchal linksaccording to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting an exemplary view showing associativelinks according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary general purpose computer employable in variousembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary node employablein various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

General Operation

According to various embodiments of the present invention, there areprovided systems and methods whereby, for example, one or morefunctional elements can be established and/or employed. Moreover, invarious embodiments such functional elements may be arranged in anassociative and/or hierarchical manner.

Embodiments of the present invention allow for views corresponding tosuch functional elements and/or such arrangements. Such functionalelements might, in various embodiments, serve a number of purposes. Forexample, such functional elements might be employable in interoperatingwith devices, software, and/or the like, in working with entities,and/or the like. Interface software modules might, in variousembodiments, be employed in such interoperation.

In various embodiments, functional elements can be created usingfunctional element templates. Such element templates might, for example,be provided to users. As another example, users might. alternately oradditionally, be able to create their own element templates.

Various aspects of the present invention will now be discussed ingreater detail.

Functional Element Establishment

In various embodiments action may be taken to establish a functionalelement (FE). Such action might, for example, be taken by a user. Withregard to FIG. 1 it is noted that, according to various embodiments ofthe present invention, a user whishing to establish an FE might, forexample, indicate a desire to do so via graphical user interface (GUI)or other interface provided by her node (step 101).

In response, the user's node could, for example, act to present the userwith one or more existing functional element templates (FETs) from whichthe FE could be created (step 103). As another example, the user's nodecould, alternately or additionally, offer the user the opportunity toestablish a new FET, fetch a new FET, and/or the like.

A wide variety of FETs can exist. For example, there may be FETsrelating to one or more of entities (e.g., media, text, contacts,schedule, and/or the like), devices (e.g., computers, peripherals,consumer electronics, appliances, architectural fixtures, vehicles,and/or the like), and/or the like.

As is discussed in greater detail below, possessed by a FET may, forexample, be one or more attributes capable of being passed on to an FEcreated using the template. It is noted that, in various embodiments, anFE created using a FET need not be imbued with all of the attributesavailable from the template.

Attributes might, for instance, fall under one or more categories. Forexample, one such category could be a data category. Such a categorymight, for instance, be employed where an FE created from a FET was tohold data and/or links to data. As is discussed in greater detail below,among attributes falling under the data category could, for instance, beone or more data fields. Included in various embodiments could be afield to hold a name for an established FE.

As another example of a category, there could be an input-outputcategory. Such a category could be employed, for example, where an FEcreated from a FET was to be employed in interoperating with devices,software, and/or the like. Among attributes falling under theinput-output category could, for instance, be information regarding oneor more commands and/or command pathways.

As yet another example, of a category, there could be an property-actioncategory. Such a category could be employed, for example, where an FEcreated from a FET was to perform certain actions, possess certaindynamic and/or static properties, and/or the like. Among attributesfalling under the property-action category could, for instance, beinformation regarding specific actions to be performed, propertiesregarding interaction with a user and/or display to a user, and/or thelike. For instance, details regarding scripts to be followed, graphiccontrol panels or the like to be presented to a user, properties and/orfunctionalities for a graphical element to depict the FE, and/or thelike might be included. It is noted that, in various embodiments,scripts to be followed could employ commands and/or command pathwaysinput-output-category attributes.

In the case where the user selected an existing FET (step 105), the usermight, in various embodiments, be able to provide one or moreindications regarding creation of the FE (step 107). For instance, wherethe selected FET possessed a number of attributes, the user might beable to select which of those attributes would be passed on to thecreated functional element. For example, the user might select whichinput-output category and/or property-action category attributes wouldbe passed on.

Moreover, in various embodiments the user might, for instance, where aFET was capable of interoperating with multiple devices and/or pieces ofsoftware, be able to specify with which devices and/or pieces ofsoftware interoperation should occur. For example, where an FET was ableto produce FEs with washing machine and sauna control capabilities, auser might be able to specify that only washing machine controlcapabilities were desired.

Further, the user might, in various embodiments, be queried for variousdata to be used in establishment of the FE (step 109). For example,where a created FE was to hold data, the user could be queried toprovide and/or to provide a link to such data.

As a specific example, where a created FE would correspond to a contact,the user might be queried to enter various data regarding the contact(e.g., name, telephone number, and/or the like) and/or to provide a linkto such data.

As another example, where a created functional element wouldinteroperate with a remote device (e.g., with a sauna for controlpurposes), the user might be queried for a network address or the likevia which the device could be contacted. As still another example, wherethe FE being created was receiving one or more property-actionattributes from the chosen FET, the user might be queried to providecorresponding data. As a specific example, where a property-actionattribute received from the chosen FET dealt with an action to beperformed at a specific time each day, the user might be required tospecify that time.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, certain data to be held and/orused by an FE might not be provided at time of establishment of the FE,but instead be provided during use of the FE. It is further noted that,in various embodiments, in establishing an FE a user might act tospecify one or more interface software modules should be employed by theestablished FE.

It is further noted that, in various embodiments, data might be receivedfrom other than a user. For instance, data might be received from,created by, provided by, sold by, and/or the like by one or more systemadministrators, one or more device manufacturers, one or more softwaremanufacturers, one or more of various third parties, one or more FETs,one or more basic element types (described below), and/or the like.

With any required data having been received, one or more steps could betaken to establish the new FE (step 111). For example, one or morecorresponding entries could be placed in a database or other store. Suchentries could, for example, include attributes received from theemployed FET and/or data provided, for example, by the user. As notedabove, in various embodiments, rather than using an existing functionalelement template, a user could indicate a desire to fetch a newfunctional element template.

Such functionality could be implemented in a number of ways. Forexample, a connection to a server or the like could be made, and/orpeer-to-peer communications could be established with another node, andthe user could browse through available functional element templates andselect one or more for receipt. Such browsing and/or selection could,for example, be performed via a GUI or the like provided by her node.The node could then act to receive the selected functional elementtemplates and make them available to the user. Communications betweenthe node and the server and/or other node could be performed in a numberof ways. For example, simple object access protocol (SOAP), remotemethod invocation (RMI), Java messaging service (JMS), and/or the likemight be employed.

Functional Element Template Establishment

As noted above, in various embodiments, rather than using an existingFET, a user could act to establish a new FET. Moreover, in variousembodiments, FETS could be established by other than a node's user.Various aspects of FET establishment will now be discussed.

With regard to FIG. 2 it is noted that, an individual wishing toestablish an FET might first indicate a desire to do so via, forinstance, a GUI or the like provided by a node or the like (step 201).According to various embodiments of the present invention, one step inestablishment of a FET may be to specify one or more attributes of thesort discussed above (step 203).

As alluded to above, includable attributes could include, for example,data-type, input-output-type, and/or property-action-type attributes.Choice of attributes to include in an FET could, for example, take intoaccount the intended use of FEs created with it. To illustrate by way ofexample, the creation of several exemplary FETs will now be discussed.

As one example, a software/device control FET might be created. Such anFET might be employed, for instance, in creating FEs related to a devicesuch as, for example, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a homeentertainment unit (e.g., a personal video recorder (PVR)), a hot tub, asauna, an oven, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a computer, a phone, acomputer peripheral, a digital image capture device, a digital audiocapture device, a vehicle, and/or the like and/or in creating FEsrelated to software such as, for example, a word processor, aspreadsheet, a presentation program, an organizer, a database, a webbrowser, a media use and/or editing program, and/or the like.

Included among data-type attributes for such an FET could, for instance,be a network address via which a device and/or software could bereached, one or more attributes to hold a log of device and/or softwareevents, and/or the like.

Included among input-output-type attributes for such an FET could, forinstance, be one or more commands applicable in communicating, perhapsvia one or more interface software modules, with one or more devicesand/or software, and/or with one or more types of devices and/orsoftware. Among such commands could be, for example, turn-on commands,turn-off commands, set status commands (e.g., set temperature, set mode,set time, submit data, dial number, dispatch MMS (Multimedia MessagingService) message, dispatch email, dispatch fax, dispatch SMS (ShortMessage Service) message, and/or the like), read status commands (e.g.,monitor temperature, monitor mode, monitor time elapsed, receive data,and/or the like), software-access commands, and/or the like.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, such commands could be of ageneric type such that they could, for example, be understood byinterface software modules corresponding to different sorts of devicesand/or software (e.g., washing machines, home entertainment units, hottubs, microwave ovens, word processors, and/or spreadsheets), and/or byinterface modules corresponding to different brands, makes, models,and/or the like of a particular sort of device and/or software (e.g.,different brands of microwave ovens or different word processingprograms).

Included among property-action-type attributes could, for example, beattributes regarding how information corresponding to operation of an FEcreated using the FET be displayed to a user, perhaps via a GUI or thelike. For example, one or more attributes could be included thatspecified a GUI control panel or the like for interacting with a deviceand/or software with which communications were established.

As still another example, a device-on FET might be created. Such an FETcould be employed, for instance, in creating FEs which acted to allow auser to turn on a device of the sort just described.

Included among data-type attributes and input-output-type attributes forsuch an FET could, for instance, be one or more attributes of the sortdiscussed above with respect to the exemplary software/device controlFET. As a specific example, with respect to input-output-typeattributes, only a turn-on command input-output-type attribute might beincluded.

Included among property-action-type attributes for such an FET could be,for example, be attributes regarding how user actions, perhaps providedby a GUI or the like, could affect operation of an FE created using theFET. For example, one or more attributes could be included thatindicated that a user should be presented with an GUI widget which, whenactivated, would cause a device to be turned on (e.g., would cause thecreated FE to make use of a turn-on command input-output-typeattribute). As another example, one or more such attributes couldspecify that a first device power up upon receipt of information fromanother device. For instance, such attributes could specify that alighting system device and a home entertainment system device bepowered-on upon a sensor device determining that someone has entered aroom, and/or upon a Bluetooth, 802.11b, and/or 802.11g base stationdetermining that one of a specified set of user nodes has enteredvicinity.

It is noted that, according to various embodiments, portions of anexisting FET could be employed in the creation of a new FET.Accordingly, in various embodiments, such a device-on FET might, becreated in a manner employing portions of an existing software/devicecontrol FET of the sort described above.

As yet another example, an entity FET might be created. Such an FETcould, for example, be employed in creating FEs that held and/or linkedto entities (e.g., media, text, contacts, schedule, and/or the like).

Included among data-type attributes for such an FET could, for example,be one or more fields to hold entity-related data. For example, one ormore specific fields such as “name”, “address”, “phone number”, “time”,“date”, “subject”, and/or the like might be included. As anotherexample, one or more general fields might alternately or additionally beincluded. Such a general field could, for example, hold all or some ofan entity, perhaps via Base64 encoding, uuencode encoding, and/or thelike. As yet another example, metadata data-type attributes might beincluded. In various embodiments, no input-output-type attributes orproperty-action-type attributes might be included.

As a further example, an entity use FET might be created. Such an FETmight, for example, be employed in creating FEs which held and/or linkedto entities (e.g., media, text, contacts, schedule, and/or the like) andwhich interoperated with devices, software, and/or the like. Such an FETmight, for example, be employed in creating an FET that could control adevice in accordance with schedule information provided by a scheduleentity (e.g., turn-on and turn-off of a device in accordance with theschedule entity).

Included among data-type attributes for such an FET could, for instance,be one or more attributes of the sort discussed above with respect tothe exemplary entity FET.

Included among input-output-type attributes for such an FET could, forinstance, be one or more attributes of the sort discussed above withrespect to the exemplary software/device control FET.

In various embodiments, no property-action-type attributes might beincluded. Alternately, property-action-type attributes might be includedwhich indicated that software and/or a device be controlled inaccordance with an associated entity. Such an entity use FET might invarious embodiments, perhaps in a manner analogous to that discussedabove, be created in a manner employing portions of an existing entityFET, and/or software/device control FET of the sort described above.

As an additional example, an entity action FET might be created. Such anFET could be employed, for instance, in creating FEs which allowed auser to exploit a particular capability of the sort discussed above withrespect to entity use FETs. For instance, such an FET might allow forestablishment of an FE which could allow a user to dial a telephone calldirected to an individual associated with a contact entity.

Included among data-type attributes and input-output-type attributes forsuch an FET could, for instance, be one or more attributes of the sortdiscussed above with respect to the exemplary entity use FET. As aspecific example, with respect to input-output-type attributes, only adial number command input-output-type attribute might be included.

Included among property-action-type attributes for such an FET could be,for example, be attributes regarding how user actions, perhaps providedby a GUI or the like, could affect operation of an FE created using theFET. For example, one or more attributes could be included thatindicated that a user should be presented with an GUI widget which, whenactivated, would cause an individual associated with a particularcontact to be telephoned (e.g., would cause the created FE to make useof a dial number command input-output-type attribute with respect to adata-type attribute holding a telephone number). It is noted that, invarious embodiments, such an entity action FET could be created in amanner employing portions of an existing entity FET, software/devicecontrol FET, and/or entity use FET of the sort described above.

As a further example, a security FET might be created. Such an FET couldbe employed, for instance, in creating FEs related to burglar alarms,fire alarms, water leakage alarms, and/or the like. Included amongdata-type attributes for such an FET could, for instance, be anattribute to hold a network address via which an alarm system could bereached, one or more attributes to hold a log of alarm system events,and/or the like.

Included among input-output-type attributes for such an FET could, forinstance, be one or more commands applicable in communicating, perhapsvia one or more interface software modules, with burglar alarms, firealarms, water leakage alarms, and/or the like. Among such commands couldbe, for example, arming commands, disarming commands, alarm cancelcommands, panic commands, set status commands, read status (e.g., alarmstatus) commands, and/or the like.

Included among property-action-type attributes could, for example, beattributes regarding how information corresponding to operation of an FEcreated using the FET be displayed to a user, perhaps via a GUI or thelike. For example, one or more attributes could be included thatspecified a GUI control panel for interacting with a security systemwith which communications were established.

In various embodiments, such a security FET might be created in a manneremploying portions of an existing device control FET of the sortdescribed above.

As another example, a security notify FET might be created. Such an FETcould be employed, for instance, in creating FEs which acted to notify auser of one or more events occurring with regard to, for example, asecurity system of the sort just described. Included among data-typeattributes and input-output-type attributes for such an FET could, forinstance, be one or more attributes of the sort discussed above withrespect to the exemplary security FET.

Included among property-action-type attributes for such an FET could be,for example, be attributes regarding how information corresponding tooperation of an FE created using the FET be displayed to a user. Forexample, one or more attributes could be included that indicated that auser's node should vibrate, play a sound, flash and/or display agraphical element, and/or the like in response to occurrence of an alarmcondition at a burglar alarm, fire alarm, water leakage alarm, and/orthe like with which communications were established.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, in the case where theabove-described exemplary security FET existed, that FET could beemployed in the creation of such a security notify FET.

As another example, a security action FET might be created. Such an FETcould be employed, for instance, in creating an FE which acted totelephone an appropriate emergency service in the case of an alarmcondition with regard to, for example, a security system of the sortjust described.

Included among data-type attributes and input-output-type attributes forsuch an FET could, for instance, be one or more attributes of the sortdiscussed above with respect to the exemplary security FET, and/or oneor more attributes regarding one or more telephone numbers to be dialedin case of an alarm condition. Also included might, for example be dataregarding one or more messages to be delivered, perhaps via voicesynthesizer, to the appropriate recipient.

Included among property-action-type attributes for such an FET could be,for example, be attributes regarding how the functionality whereby anappropriate emergency service is contacted in case of alarm condition ishandled. For example, one or more attributes could be included thatindicated that a user's node should dial one or more numbers and/ordeliver one or more messages, in accordance with provided input-outputtype attributes, in response to occurrence of an alarm condition at aburglar alarm system, fire alarm system, water leakage alarm system,and/or the like with which communications are established.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, in the case where theabove-described exemplary security FET existed, that FET could beemployed in the creation of such a security notify FET. It is furthernoted that, in various embodiments, one or more basic elements may beemployed in the creation of FETs. Such basic elements might, forexample, act to provide various attributes, functionalities, and/or thelike such that, for instance, an FET created via use of such a basicelement could come to possess one or more of the attributes,functionalities, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, one or more types of such basic elements couldexist. For example, there could be basic element types employable increating FETs related to entities, basic element types employable increating FETs related to devices, basic element types employable increating FETs related to software, and/or the like. Basic elementscould, in various embodiments, be created by users, be provided to usersby hardware manufactures, be provided to users by software manufactures,be provided to users by network providers, be provided to users by oneor more of various third parties, and/or the like.

It is additionally noted that, in various embodiments, in the case whereone or more attributes were selected for inclusion during constructionof an FET, one or more other attributes might be selected automatically(e.g., by action of the node or other machine at which the FET was beingcreated). For instance, selection for inclusion of certaininput-output-category attributes might result in the automatic selectionof certain data-category attributes. As a specific example, selectionfor inclusion of one or more input-output-category attributes relatingto dialing of a telephone number could result in the automatic selectionof one or more data-category attributes to hold one or more phonenumbers.

With the attributes for the FET chosen, steps might be taken to storethe new FET (step 205). For example, a node or the like might act towrite corresponding data to an accessible database and/or other store.In various embodiments, steps might be further performed to make the newFET available for selection by one or more node users (step 207).

Interface Software Modules

As noted above, according to various embodiments of the presentinvention, one or more interface software modules (ISMs) may be employedin interoperating with devices, software, and/or the like. An ISM could,for instance, be provided by a manufacturer of a device and/or a pieceof software, a third party, and/or the like. It is further noted that anISM could, for instance, correspond to a single device and/or piece ofsoftware and/or to multiple devices and/or pieces of software.

An ISM might, for example, be run on the device with which itfacilitates interoperation and/or be run on the device upon which thesoftware with which it facilitates interoperation runs, be run on thenode interoperating with the device and/or software, and/or be run onanother device.

An ISM could in various embodiments be programmed to accept, perhapsfrom a user's node or the like, certain commands as input, and to outputcommands, application program interface (API) calls, messages, and/orthe like understood by one or more devices, software, and/or the like.As alluded to above, in various embodiments the commands accepted asinput could be of a generic type such that various different ISMs,perhaps relating to different sorts of devices and/or software, and/orto different brands, makes, models, and/or the like of devices and/orsoftware, could accept similar and/or identical commands. As a specificexample, in various embodiments one or more ISMs corresponding tomicrowave oven control and one or more ISMs corresponding to hot tubcontrol could all accept as input the same command in order to set atimer.

Such generic commands could, for example, be established by a standardsbody, network provider, manufacturer's group, and/or the like.Accordingly, an ISM could, for example, be programmed to map receivedgeneric commands to commands specific to one or more particular devices,pieces of software, and/or the like.

Moreover, in various embodiments, an ISM could be programmed to receiveoutput from one or more devices, pieces of software, and/or the like,and to pass appropriate corresponding data to, for instance, a user'snode. In various embodiments, such appropriate corresponding data could,perhaps in a manner analogous to that discussed above with respect tocommands passed to an ISM, be of a generic type.

Communications between an ISM and a user's node or the like, and/orbetween and ISM and one or more devices, pieces of software, and/or thelike, could implemented in a number of ways. For example, simple objectaccess protocol (SOAP), remote method invocation (RMI), Java messagingservice (JMS), and/or the like might be employed.

Links

According to various embodiments of the present invention, links may beestablished between functional elements. Such a link may, for example,be an associative link or a hierarchical link. As is discussed ingreater detail, such links may, in various embodiments, be displayed tousers in one or more ways. It is noted that, in various embodiments, anFE may be subject to no links.

An associative link, could, in various embodiments, be employed toindicate a correlation between FEs. For example, in the case where therewas an FE corresponding to a digital photo of an individual and an FEcorresponding to contact information for that individual, an associativelink could be established between the two FEs.

Links can, in various embodiments, be establishable by the action of auser, be establishable automatically, or both. Hence, with regard to theabove example, such an associative link might, for instance, be createdat the request of a user, and/or might be created automatically by auser's node. For instance, a user's node, with respect to an FEcorresponding to a digital photo or the like, might consult associatedmetadata to determine the individuals with whom the photo was relatedand make appropriate associative links between the FE and, for example,contact information FEs corresponding to those individuals.

For example, an associative link arrangement might be established wherean FE corresponding to an entity was correlated, via two associatedlinks, to two FEs corresponding to contact information for two differentindividuals.

A hierarchical link could, in various embodiments, be employed toassociate one or more FEs under a categorical heading or the like. Invarious embodiments, such a categorical heading could be represented asa hierarchical element (HE). Such an HE could, in various embodiments,be displayed in a user in a manner analogous to that of FEs.Accordingly, for example, an HE might be displayed to a user as an iconor the like via a GUI or the like provided to her.

For example, with regard to the above example, a hierarchical linkmight, alternately or additionally, be automatically created between thedigital photo FE and for instance, an HE labeled “received images”. Itis noted that, in various embodiments, names may be associated withlinks. It is further noted that, in various embodiments, there may beHEs and/or FEs that are associated with no links.

As another example, an HE corresponding to the user of a node could beestablished, and hierarchical links could be established between the HEand all FEs associated with the user.

As yet another example, an HE named “recreation” could be establishedand an HE named “work” could be established, and, all contactinformation FEs corresponding to people known by a node's user forrecreational purposes could be hierarchically linked to the “recreation”HE, and all contact information FEs corresponding to people known by anode's user for work purposes could be hierarchically linked to the“work” HE. It is noted that, in various embodiments, an FE could behierarchically linked to more than one HE. Accordingly, further to theforegoing example, a contact information FE relating to an individualwho was known for both recreational and work purposes could behierarchically linked to both the “recreation” HE and the “work” HE.

It is noted that, according to various embodiments of the presentinvention, all FEs hierarchically linked to a particular HE could beconsidered to be associated with a particular situation, context, and/orthe like. For instance, all FEs hierarchically linked to a “work” HEcould be considered to be associated with a work context. A user could,in various embodiments, be presented with one or more HEs, FEs, and/orlinks associated with a particular situation, context, and/or the like.

HEs could, in various embodiments, be established in a manner of ways.For example, a user could, perhaps via a provided GUI or the like,request creation of a new HE, the user perhaps providing additionalinformation such as the name that should be associated with the HE. Asanother example, HEs could be created automatically by a node, perhapswith the node further establishing one or more hierarchical linksbetween the created HE and one or more FEs.

For instance, with regard to FIG. 3 it is noted that in variousembodiments a user's node could act to monitor its user's use,establishment, and/or the like of various HEs, FEs, and/or links (step301), and could, in various embodiments, further act to associate one ormore flags with such HEs, FEs, and/or links (step 303). Such flagscould, for instance, specify times of creations, times of usages,durations of usages, geographical locations of the node during usages,individuals associated with usages, and/or the like.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, location during usage might beknown to a user's node, for example, via global position system (GPS)hardware, radio triangulation, a base station (e.g., a Bluetooth,802.11b, and/or 802.11 g base station) and/or radio beacon, and/or thelike. It is further noted that, in various embodiments, individualsassociated with usage might be known to a node, for example, via personslisted in a schedule entry to be participants in a meeting coinciding intime with a usage, and/or by a user's node being aware of proximal nodes(e.g., nodes in Bluetooth, 802.11b, and/or 802.11 g range) during ausage and associating those nodes with individuals, perhaps viacorrelations between those individuals and node identifiers. Suchcorrelations might be held, for example, in a local and/orremotely-accessible store.

Having established the flags, the node could, for example, act toassociate related HEs, FEs, and/or links into one or more groups (step305), establish one or more HEs corresponding to these groups (step307), and appropriately establish hierarchical links from theestablished HEs to the HEs, FEs, and/or links (step 309). A node's usercould, in various embodiments, act to view HE, FEs, and/or linksassociated with HEs so established.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, such flags could, alternatelyor additionally, be employed in archiving HEs, FEs, and/or links. Forexample, HEs, FEs, and/or links not used with at least a thresholdfrequency, not used since at least a threshold date, and/or the likecould be archived. Such threshold values could, for example, be set bythe user, a network provider, a manufacturer, and/or the like.

Accordingly, for example, such HEs, FEs, and/or links selected forarchiving could be moved from a database and/or other store in whichthey were held to an archive database and/or other store. In variousembodiments, such HEs, FEs, and/or links could be stored in such anarchive in a compressed manner. It is further noted that, in variousembodiments, HEs, FEs, and/or links selected for deletion (e.g., by anode's user) could be placed in such an archive. Such deletion might,for instance, be requested by a user via a provided GUI or the like.

Archived HEs, FEs, and/or links could, in various embodiments, be notavailable to a user unless she requested that one or more of them bede-archived. A user might make such a request, for instance, via aprovided GUI or the like.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, HEs could,perhaps in a manner analogous to that discussed above, be created by wayof hierarchy element templates (HETs). Accordingly, an HET could, forexample, possess one or more attributes capable of being passed on toHEs created using the HET. As another example, in various embodiments,one or more basic elements might, perhaps in a manner analogous to thatdiscussed above, be employed in the creation of HETs.

Among the attributes possessed by an HET could, for example, be one ormore data-category attributes which could act to hold variouscorresponding data. As one example a name for an HE created using theHET might be held. As another example of an attribute, an HET couldinclude one or more filter-category attributes. Such attributes, whenimparted to an HE created using the HET, could be employable by a user'snode, for instance, in performing filtering operations.

Such filtering operations could, for example, involve the establishmentof new HEs and/or hierarchical links in response to a user request toview only certain HEs, FEs, and/or links associated with a selected HE.As a specific example, a node user, perhaps via a supplied GUI or thelike, might act to select a certain HE and request to view only thoseHEs, FEs, and/or links associated with the selected HE that possessedcertain specified criteria. According to various embodiments of thepresent invention, a wide variety of criteria could be specifiable. Forexample, a user might provide criteria in terms of FE attributes, usestatistics (e.g., times and/or durations of use), creation times,associated entity types, associated individuals, link names, and/or thelike.

In response a user's node could, for example, act to, perhaps in amanner analogous to that discussed above, employ information provided byfilter-category attributes possessed by the selected HE to establish anew HE corresponding to the appropriate HEs, FEs, and/or links, and toappropriately establish hierarchical links from the created HE to theHEs, FEs, and/or links. It is noted that, in various embodiments, in thecase where the user specified use statistics as filtering criteria, thenode might act to consult flags of the sort above in determiningappropriate HEs, FEs, and/or links.

Operational Aspects

As noted above, in various embodiments of the present inventionhierarchal and/or associative and/or links may be established.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a node's usermay be able to view relationships corresponding to the employment ofsuch links. For example, a node may be able to present its user a viewdepicting relationships corresponding to hierarchical links. As anotherexample, a node may be able to present its user a view depictingrelationships corresponding to associative links.

For example, a node's user may be presented, perhaps via a GUI or thelike, with a view wherein various graphical elements corresponding toestablished HEs, FEs, and hierarchical links are displayed, thegraphical elements arranged in a manner intended to depict theestablished relationships that correspond to the hierarchical links.

Shown in FIG. 4 is such an exemplary view. In FIG. 4, graphical element401, labeled “user”, is placed to depict an HE of the sort describedabove corresponding to a node's user. Further shown in FIG. 4 aregraphical elements 403 and 405, labeled “home” and “work” respectively,and placed to depict established HEs. Also shown in FIG. 4 are graphicalelements 417 and 419, intended to depict established hierarchical linksbetween the depicted HEs.

Additionally shown in FIG. 4 are graphical elements 407-411, labeled“John”, “Kevin”, and “Mary” respectively, and placed to depictestablished FEs corresponding to contact information entities. Alsoshown in FIG. 4 are graphical elements 421-425, intended to depictestablished hierarchical links.

Still further shown in FIG. 4 are graphical elements 413 and 415,labeled “Paco” and “Bill” respectively, and placed to depict establishedFEs corresponding to contact information entities. Also shown in FIG. 4.are graphical elements 427 and 429, intended to depict establishedhierarchical links.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, hierarchy might only bedisplayed to a user down to a certain number of levels from thehighest-level HE and/or FE displayed, and a user might be able toindicate a desire to see deeper levels. For instance, a user might beable to select a lowest-level displayed HE and/or FE and, in response,be presented with a display in which the selected HE and/or FE was thehighest-level HE and/or FE displayed, and in which HEs and/or FEs thathad not been displayed in the previous view but which were lower inlevel than the selected HE and/or FE would be displayed.

As another example, a node's user may be presented, perhaps via a GUI orthe like, with a view wherein various graphical elements correspondingto established HEs, FEs, and associative links are displayed, thegraphical elements arranged in a manner intended to depict establishedrelationships that correspond to the associative links.

Shown in FIG. 5 is such an exemplary view. In FIG. 5, graphical element501, labeled “vacation photo”, is placed to depict an FE correspondingto a digital photograph entity. Also shown in FIG. 5 are graphicalelements 503 and 505, labeled “Freddy” and “Murray” respectively, andplace to depict established FEs corresponding to contact informationentities. Additionally shown in FIG. 5 are graphical elements 507 and509, intended to depict established associative links between these FEs

It is noted that, in various embodiments, the display characteristics ofsuch graphical elements, such as depicted labels, images, and/or thelike, could be in accordance with various attributes (e.g.,property-action category attributes) of the HEs, FEs, and/or the like.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a user couldbe presented various customized views corresponding to HEs, FEs, and/orlinks. For example, a user could be presented with HEs, FEs, and/orlinks corresponding to one or more particular HEs. Such functionalitymight be employed, for example, where an HE is associated with asituation, context, and/or the like as discussed above. Accordingly, auser could, for example, be presented with HEs, FEs, and/or linkscorresponding to a particular situation, context, and/or the like by wayof being shown, perhaps via a GUI or the like, the HEs, FEs, and/orlinks hierarchically associated with an appropriate HE.

In various embodiments, a user might be able to request such display,for instance, by employing a provided GUI or the like to request thatshe receive display of HEs, FEs, and/or the like associated with aspecified situation, context, and/or the like.

As another example, in various embodiments a user's node mightautomatically cause such display. For instance, a user's node couldperform monitoring to determine the occurrence of various situations,contexts, and/or the like, and could request appropriate such displaywhere a particular situation, context, and/or the like came into being.

In performing such monitoring, the node could, for example, act tomonitor for specific information that would indicate that a particularcontext had come into being. For example, in the case where a situation,context, and/or the like was location dependent, the node could monitorphysical location, perhaps in a manner analogous to that discussedabove.

As another example, in the case where a situation, context, and/or thelike was dependent upon one or more individuals being present, the nodecould monitor for the presence of such individuals, perhaps in a manneranalogous to that discussed above. As still another example, in the casewhere a situation, context, and/or the like was dependent upon time ofday, the node could monitor time of day.

In various embodiments, such information regarding how occurrence of asituation, context, and/or the like could be recognized could, forexample, be held as an attribute (e.g., as a data-category attribute) ofthe HE corresponding to the situation, context, and/or the like.

As another example of a customized view, a user could request to seeonly HEs, FEs, and/or links associated with a particular specified HE.For example, a user might establish an HE labeled “social”, and employhierarchical links to associate appropriate HEs, FEs, and/or links withthe new HE. In the case where the user later wanted to view a displaycorresponding to such HEs, FEs, and/or links, the user could request acustomized view corresponding to the “social” HE. It is noted that, invarious embodiments where all HEs, FEs, and/or links were associatedwith a single HE of the sort noted above associated with a node's user,in the case where the user wished to view all of her HEs, FEs, and/orlinks she could request a customized view corresponding to that HE. Asstill another example of customized views, a user could request to seeHEs, FEs, and/or links associated with a particular FE.

As yet another example, a user could be presented with displaycorresponding to only FEs matching certain criteria, with the userperhaps being shown links and/or HEs corresponding to the matching FEs.For instance, a user might specify that she only wished display FEscorresponding to tasks, calendar entries, contacts, text, media, and/orthe like. In preparing such a display, the user's node could, forexample, examine data held in FE attributes, and/or examined datareached via links specified in FE attributes.

It is noted that, in various embodiments, a user could receive displayof only hierarchical links, only associative links, and/or both.Moreover, with regard to the above examples of custom views, it is notedthat in various embodiments it might be possible to specify whetherhierarchical links, associative links, and/or both should be shown.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a user mightbe able to receive display of FEs in a way where no links are shown. Forexample, a user might receive display of FEs corresponding to contactinformation entities in a way where graphical elements corresponding tothe FEs were arranged on a map of an area in accordance with locationinformation held by and/or linked to by the FEs.

In preparing such a map display the user's node could, for example,examine location data held in FE attributes, and/or examine data reachedvia links specified in FE attributes. In examining the location data thenode might, in various embodiments, make use of interface softwaremodules and/or input-output category attributes held by the FEs.

It is further noted that, in various embodiments, a user might be ableto receive display of various information regarding a particular FE. Forexample, a user might receive display of information regarding aschedule entry wherein, for instance, start time, end time, interveningmilestones, and/or the like were displayed on a graphical timescale.

In preparing such a display, the user's node could, for example, examinecorresponding data held in FE attributes, and/or examine data reachedvia links specified in FE attributes. In examining the data the nodemight, in various embodiments, make use of interface software modulesand/or input-output category attributes held by the FEs.

As a further example of display regarding a particular FE, as alluded toabove, in various embodiments a user may receive display whereby aparticular device and/or piece of software could be controlled. Forexample, a user selecting via a GUI or the like provided by her node agraphical element corresponding to an FE relating to a washing machinemight be presented with a graphical control panel whereby she couldcontrol the machine. As another example, a user selecting via a GUI orthe like provided by her node a graphical element corresponding to an FErelating to an alarm system might be presented with a graphical controlpanel whereby she could control the alarm system. As alluded to above,such display of a control panel could be in accordance with attributesheld by an FE.

As yet another example, in the case where a user selected via a GUI orthe like a graphical element corresponding to an FE relating to a textdocument, media clip, and/or the like, the user might be presented witha graphical interface or the like whereby she could view and/or edit thetext document, media clip, and/or the like. In various embodiments, inoffering such viewing and/or editing functionality to the user, theuser's node might make use of one or more interface software modulesand/or input-output category attributes held by the FE in interfacingwith, for example, word processing software, audio editing software,video editing software, and/or the like.

As alluded to above, in various embodiments a user might receive displayof graphical elements corresponding to FEs established to execute one ormore particular functions when selected, and/or corresponding to FEsestablished to cause certain display and/or other noticeable changeswith occurrence of events. Accordingly, for example, a user mightreceive display of a graphical element corresponding to an FE such thatselection of the graphical element could cause a device to turn on. Asanother example, a user might receive display of a graphical elementcorresponding to an FE such that the graphical element would flash upona burglar alarm device detecting an alarm condition.

As alluded to above, in various embodiments a user could establish linksbetween HEs and/or FEs. It is noted that, in various embodiments, a usermight be able to do such, for example, by employing a provided GUI orthe like to select one or more HEs, FEs, and/or the like, and to specifythe sort of links that should be established, the user perhaps beingable to further provide names for such links.

It is further noted that, in various embodiments, display to a usercould be via one or more display program modules which communicated withone or more other program modules, with the display program modulescommunicating with the other program modules via an establishedprotocol. Such functionality and/or ways of accessing it might, forexample, be referred to as a “View Programming Interface”. It is furthernoted that various aspects described herein may be implemented in adistributed fashion. Accordingly, in various embodiments, various data,program modules, and/or the like involved in operation of the sortdescribed herein could exist on a user's node and/or on one or moreother machines (e.g., servers and/or user nodes) with appropriatecommunications occurring between the user's node the external machinesas necessary. For instance, such communications might involve SOAP, RMI,and/or JMS. It is noted that, in various embodiments, peer-to-peer, gridcomputing, and/or the like might be employed.

Moreover, it is noted that various HEs, FEs, FETs, HETs, ISMs, basicelement types, hierarchical structures, and/or the like could beprovided in a number of ways. For example, such could be created,provided, sold, and/or the like by users, system administrators, devicemanufacturers, software manufactures, various third parties, and/or thelike.

Hardware and Software

Certain operations and the like described herein may be executed byand/or with the help of computers. Further, the nodes described hereinmay be and/or may incorporate computers. The phrases “computer”,“general purpose computer”, and the like, as used herein, refer but arenot limited to a processor card smart card, a media device, a personalcomputer, an engineering workstation, a PC, a Macintosh, a PDA, acomputerized watch, a node, a wired or wireless terminal, a server, anetwork access point, a network multicast point, a set-top-box, apersonal video recorder (PVR), game console, or the like, perhapsrunning an operating system such as OS X, Linux, Darwin, Windows CE,Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Palm OS, Symbian OS, or the like,perhaps employing the Series 60 Platform, and perhaps having support forJava and/or .Net.

The phrases “general purpose computer”, “computer”, and the like alsorefer, but are not limited to, one or more processors operativelyconnected to one or more memory or storage units, wherein the memory orstorage may contain data, algorithms, and/or program code, and theprocessor or processors may execute the program code and/or manipulatethe program code, data, and/or algorithms. Accordingly, exemplarycomputer 6000 as shown in FIG. 6 includes system bus 6050 whichoperatively connects two processors 6051 and 6052, random access memory6053, read-only memory 6055, input output (I/O) interfaces 6057 and6058, storage interface 6059, and display interface 6061. Storageinterface 6059 in turn connects to mass storage 6063. Each of I/Ointerfaces 6057 and 6058 may be an Ethernet, IEEE 1394, IEEE 1394b, IEEE802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.16a, IEEE 802.20, IEEE802.15.3, ZigBee, Bluetooth, terrestrial digital video broadcast(DVB-T), satellite digital video broadcast (DVB-S), digital audiobroadcast (DAB), general packet radio service (GPRS), Universal MobileTelecommunications Service (UMTS), DVB-X, IrDA (Infrared DataAssociation), or other interface known in the art.

Mass storage 6063 may be a hard drive, optical drive, or the like.Processors 6057 and 6058 may each be a commonly known processor such asan IBM or Motorola PowerPC, an AMD Athlon, an AMD Opteron, an Intel ARM,an Intel XScale, a Transmeta Crusoe, an Intel Xenon, or an IntelPentium. Computer 6000 as shown in this example also includes a touchscreen 6001 and a keyboard 6002. In various embodiments, a mouse,keypad, and/or interface might alternately or additionally be employed.Computer 6000 may additionally include or be attached to card readers,DVD drives, floppy disk drives, and/or the like whereby media containingprogram code may be inserted for the purpose of loading the code ontothe computer.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, acomputer may run one or more software modules, engines, and/or the likedesigned to perform one or more of the above-described operations. Suchmodules might, for example, be programmed using languages such as Java,Objective C, C, C#, and/or C++ according to methods known in the art.Corresponding program code might be placed on media such as, forexample, DVD, CD-ROM, and/or floppy disk. It is noted that any describeddivision of operations among particular software modules is for purposesof illustration, and that alternate divisions of operation may beemployed. Accordingly, any operations discussed as being performed byone software module might instead be performed by a plurality ofsoftware modules. Similarly, any operations discussed as being performedby a plurality of modules might instead be performed by a single module.It is noted that operations disclosed as being performed by a particularcomputer might instead be performed by a plurality of computers. It isfurther noted that, in various embodiments, peer-to-peer and/or gridcomputing techniques may be employed.

Shown in FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary terminalemployable in various embodiments of the present invention. The terminalof FIG. 7 has been discussed in the foregoing. In the following,corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts.Terminal 7000 of FIG. 7 may be used in any/all of the embodimentsdescribed herein. The terminal 7000 comprises a processing unit CPU 703,a multi-carrier signal terminal part 705 and a user interface (701,702). The multi-carrier signal terminal part 705 and the user interface(701, 702) are coupled with the processing unit CPU 703. One or moredirect memory access (DMA) channels may exist between multi-carriersignal terminal part 705 and memory 704. The user interface (701, 702)comprises a display and a keyboard to enable a user to use the terminal7000. In addition, the user interface (701, 702) comprises a microphoneand a speaker for receiving and producing audio signals. The userinterface (701, 702) may also comprise voice recognition (not shown).

The processing unit CPU 703 comprises a microprocessor (not shown),memory 704 and possibly software. The software can be stored in thememory 704. The microprocessor controls, on the basis of the software,the operation of the terminal 7000, such as the receiving of the datastream, the tolerance of the impulse burst noise in the data reception,displaying output in the user interface and the reading of inputsreceived from the user interface. The operations are described above.The hardware contains circuitry for detecting the signal, circuitry fordemodulation, circuitry for detecting the impulse, circuitry forblanking those samples of the symbol where significant amount of impulsenoise is present, circuitry for calculating estimates, and circuitry forperforming the corrections of the corrupted data.

Still referring to FIG. 7, alternatively, middleware or softwareimplementation can be applied. The terminal 7000 can be a hand-helddevice which the user can comfortably carry. Advantageously, theterminal 7000 can be a cellular mobile phone which comprises themulti-carrier signal terminal part 705 for receiving the multicasttransmission stream. Therefore, the terminal 7000 may possibly interactwith the service providers.

Ramifications and Scope

Although the description above contains many specifics, these are merelyprovided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed aslimitations of the invention's scope. Thus it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the system and processes of the present invention without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining to provide auser interface corresponding to one or more unit control elements,wherein the user interface is employable in control of a unit; acceptinggeneric commands; determining to output commands understood by saidunit: monitoring circumstances regarding use, in control of the unit, ofone or more of the unit control elements; determining to employ themonitored circumstances in establishing a group comprising one or moreof said unit control elements; and determining to establish one or morehierarchical links between a hierarchical element and the unit controlelements of said group, wherein the monitored circumstances comprise oneor more of times of usages, durations of usages, and locations ofusages.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitored circumstancescomprise geographical locations of usages.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein one or more of said unit control elements were linked by useraction.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of said unitcontrol elements were automatically linked.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein one or more of said unit control elements are employable ininteroperation with one or more devices.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein one or more interface software modules are employed in theinteroperation.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of saidunit control elements are employable in interoperation with one or morepieces of software.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein one or moreinterface software modules are employed in the interoperation.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one or more of said unit control elementsallow for user interaction.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining to display the hierarchical element and theelements of said group.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining to employ the monitored circumstances in archiving one ormore of said unit control elements.
 12. An apparatus, comprising: atleast one processor; and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and the computer program code configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least toperform: determine to provide a user interface corresponding to one ormore unit control elements, wherein the user interface is employable incontrol of a unit; accept generic commands; determine to output commandsunderstood by said unit: monitor circumstances regarding use, in controlof the unit, of one or more of the unit control elements; determine toemploy the monitored circumstances in establishing a group comprisingone or more of said unit control elements; and determine to establishone or more hierarchical links between a hierarchical element and theunit control elements of said group, wherein the monitored circumstancescomprise one or more of times of usages, durations of usages, andlocations of usages.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein themonitored circumstances comprise geographical locations of usages. 14.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one or more of said unit controlelements were linked by user action.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein one or more of said unit control elements were automaticallylinked.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one or more of said unitcontrol elements are employable in interoperation with one or moredevices.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein one or more interfacesoftware modules are employed in the interoperation.
 18. The apparatusof claim 12, wherein one or more of said unit control elements areemployable in interoperation with one or more pieces of software. 19.The apparatus of claim 18, wherein one or more interface softwaremodules are employed in the interoperation.
 20. The apparatus of claim12, wherein one or more of said unit control elements allow for userinteraction.
 21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least onememory and the computer program code are further configured to, with theat least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine to display thehierarchical element and the elements of said group.
 22. The apparatusof claim 12, wherein the at least one memory and the computer programcode are further configured to, with the at least one processor, causethe apparatus to determine to employ the monitored circumstances inarchiving one or more of said unit control elements.
 23. A computerprogram product comprising computer executable program code recorded ona computer readable storage medium, the computer executable program codecomprising: code for causing determination to provide a user interfacecorresponding to one or more unit control elements, wherein the userinterface is employable in control of a unit; code for causingacceptance of generic commands; code for causing determination to outputcommands understood by said unit: code for causing monitoringcircumstances regarding use, in control of the unit, of one or more ofthe unit control elements; code for causing determination to employ themonitored circumstances in establishing a group comprising one or moreof said unit control elements; and code for causing determination toestablish one or more hierarchical links between a hierarchical elementand the unit control elements of said group, wherein the monitoredcircumstances comprise one or more of times of usages, durations ofusages, and locations of usages.
 24. An apparatus, comprising: at leastone processor; at least one input output interface operatively connectedto the at least one processor; and at least one memory includingcomputer program code, the at least one memory and the computer programcode configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatusat least to perform: determine to provide a user interface correspondingto one or more unit control elements, wherein the user interface isemployable in control of a unit; accept generic commands; determine tooutput commands understood by said unit: monitor circumstances regardinguse, in control of the unit, of one or more of the unit controlelements; determine to employ the monitored circumstances inestablishing a group comprising one or more of said unit controlelements; and determine to establish one or more hierarchical linksbetween a hierarchical element and the unit control elements of saidgroup, wherein the monitored circumstances comprise one or more of timesof usages, durations of usages, and locations of usages.